Beyond the Beehives |
(For details of reproductions available see below) |
The 16 x 2 metre panorama, came into being over a two year period from conception to completion 2006-2008
Lunch Break |
In May 2008, Nadeen’s first panorama, Beehives of the Bungle Bungle was taken off the wall in the Lovell Gallery in readiness for its successor to be installed, as part of the annual Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster Art Appreciation Evening. The unveiling was officiated by The Hon Norman Moore MLC, who flew up from Perth for the occasion.
The work, comprising eight 2 x 2 m. panels for practical purposes, depicts the Bungle Bungle Massif from Echidna Chasm, to Piccaninny Creek - some 45 klm. This long continuous scene, has been necessarily compressed and depicts the contrast from the Northern Bluffs to the famous Beehives. At the time of commencing the work, Nadeen had been walking this area in Purnululu National Park, on and off, for over eighteen years, thus acquiring a good knowledge of the geology and botany, the endless colour and seasonal changes. Her intimate ‘feeling’ for the spirit and energy of this area has been publicly acknowledged by one of the Traditional Owners at an environmental meeting.
First marks, charcoal on tinted undercoat |
Moving Day ~ from studio to gallery |
The Big Coverup |
||
|
After hanging in the Lovell Gallery in Kununurra from 2008 to early 2013, the further 2 years on that same wall under the new management of Artopia Gallery as it became, this mammoth work was taken down and shipped to Broome. There it hung in the heritage listed Old Pearler’s House for two years as the main attraction in the ongoing Lovell/Kohan Kimberley & Beyond II exhibition.
A tricky hanging of a 16 m. painting on a 12 m. wall with a gents toilet in the way, meant some innovation and the hurried addition of a small panel to join panels 1 & 2. None of this could have been accomplished without good friends and true Allan Wedderburn , aka A1. and Terry Hunt, as was the caretaking of the temporary gallery by Allan Mitchelmore aka A2. between the 2015 and 2016 exhibitions.
2017 another road trip with Allied Pickford to Perth then Adelaide was undertaken as the 2019 Canberra Exhibition was planned. After that was cancelled it was eventually freighted back across the Nullarbor to Perth, the unloading into storage and loading for Perth overseen by another good friend Geoff Barkla and became the main attraction at the 2021 Moores Gallery in Fremantle. That was also not an easy hang but was quickly sorted by Tony White and Mick Haans, with a wonderful team of other helpers hanging the rest of the 42 piece exhibition then turning up to help at the Opening evening.
Mick Haans and Tony White hang a Massif. |
A coffee break for all the wonderful friends who helped. |
So much fantastic support is what makes an exhibition like this happen. |
Since then it has been ‘resting’ again in Perth. However, it will eventually see the light of day again, once this artist finds her new home and studio. Canberra is still on the list.
High quality reproductions on paper or canvas are still available by contacting the artist (see below).
Prices include GST, however do NOT include, stretching, framing or package and post.
On canvas : | 1650 x 200mm | $ 600 |
2000 x 250mm | $ 900 | |
3000 x 375mm | $1,500 | |
On paper : | 1250 x 150mm | $ 300 |
1660 x 200mm | $ 500 | |
Packaging and insured post is approx $15 to $25 depending on size and destination, within Australia. Art work can also be sent Internationally. |
In 1992 Nadeen painted the 11 metre panorama 'Beehives of the Bungle
Bungle'.
Hung in the Ivanhoe Gallery Restaurant in Kununurra for the next nine
years, it soon became known as the Bungles Mural. This term is not technically
correct as it was not painted directly onto the wall but onto six 1.8
square, canvas panels. This enabled Nadeen to retain ownership and also
for the artwork to travel.
Nadeen in front of ‘Beehives of the Bungle Bungle’. Photo by Nick Rains |
Moving the Bungles from Kununurra to Perth | A difficult installation on a high sloping wall in the Perth Convention Centre |
Three of the panels went to exhibition in Sydney in 1997 and the whole panorama travelled in a Slingair bus (compliments of Kerry Slingsby), clear across the continent to Melbourne, in 2001.
Eventually, after hanging in pride of place in the new gallery from 2004 to 2008, this work now hangs in the foyer of the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.
Other smaller large paintings by Nadeen include:
The Building of the Bungle Bungle. Oil on canvas 350 x 100cm |
This work was originally created in 2000, for entry into the Wynne Landscape Art Prize (held in conjunction with The Archibald). Although it suffered the fate of so many thousands of rejected art works from that competition, it went on to be exhibited in Melbourne, on the proviso it was not for sale, as a group of ardent Kununurra patrons had already offered to purchase the work.
Encouraged by long term locals and keen supporters of Nadeen's Diversion
Gallery, Pat and John Buchanan, several other participants joined the
group. Kerry and Pat Slingsby, Lars Moir, Keith and Anne Wright, The
Ord River District Co-op and Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley joined
together to donate monies which then were used to purchase the art work
in 2001. It was then handed over to the Shire in trust for the Residents
of Kununurra.
This work now hangs in the very modern new building which houses the
Kununurra Library.
This piece Celebration , a seven panel ink on canvas, 450 x 180cm, was created to celebrate the World Heritage listing of Purnululu National Park, in 2003.
However, it has recently morphed into several different paintings.....such is the whim of an artist... two of which have already gone to new homes. Two more are ready for exhibition and two others are works in progress. The seventh panel which holds the history will be retained as is , for display in future exhibitions.